Feminism plays a significant role in the short story A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Because the story was written by a man, it tends to have a male's perspective. For example, Pelayo is portrayed as a provider for the family, meaning that he has a job, provides food, provides money, and protects his wife and child. Elisenda, on the other hand, is a perfect example of a housewife, who tends the child, cleans the house and prepares the food. However, women also play other roles during the story. The wise old woman knows "everything about life and death" and everyone in the community turns to her for advice. In addition, the spider-woman was portrayed as a rebellious young woman who was harshly punished for slightly disobeying her parents.

The personalities of both male and female characters are extremely difficult to describe, as the characters are flat, with few descriptions. However, male characters are clearly shown with more power than females. Pelayo is busy with his job as bailiff, along with discovering angels, while Elisenda is stuck at home. Furthermore, while the wise woman is still a source of advice for individuals of the community, Father Gonanza is able to sway the entire crowd to wait for a letter from his superiors before judging the nature of the captive angel. Even the angel eventually gains more power than Elisenda, because he is finally able to escape, while she is left behind to chop vegetables.

The story would definitely be different if the female characters were portrayed with more power, but not drastically so. Elisenda might have a job, and the spider woman most likely wouldn't have been a transformed for disobeying her parents. Only few changes would be made, but the story would retain its original theme(s). The most oppressed character in the story is the spider-woman, who merely sneaks out at night to attend a dance, and is magically transformed into a monster. However, if the transgressor had been a male character, his peers would secretly have congratulated him. Elisenda however, is neither extremely oppressed nor repressed. She voices no complaint about her position in the household, though her complaints about the angel are extremely vocal.

All in all, feminism may be applied throughout this story, and remains an important viewpoint.